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AP® Psychology Research Methods Part 1
This deck covers key concepts and definitions related to research methods in psychology, including the scientific method, variables, sampling, and experimental design.
Define: scientific method
A systematic, objective approach used to investigate psychological phenomena. It involves a structured process to gather, analyze, and interpret data to understand behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Define: scientific method
A systematic, objective approach used to investigate psychological phenomena. It involves a structured process to gather, analyze, and interpret data ...
Define theory as it relates to research methods.
organized, testable explanation of phenomena
Other researchers must be able to replicate the results of an experiment to validate its conclusions. What is replication?
obtaining similar results to a previous study using the same methods
What is hindsight bias?
The tendency of people to overestimate their ability to predict an event after it happened.
What is a controlled experiment?
researchers systematically manipulate a variable and observe the response in a laboratory
Define: hypothesis
prediction of how two or more factors are related
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Define: scientific method | A systematic, objective approach used to investigate psychological phenomena. It involves a structured process to gather, analyze, and interpret data to understand behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. |
Define theory as it relates to research methods. | organized, testable explanation of phenomena |
Other researchers must be able to replicate the results of an experiment to validate its conclusions. What is replication? | obtaining similar results to a previous study using the same methods |
What is hindsight bias? | The tendency of people to overestimate their ability to predict an event after it happened. |
What is a controlled experiment? | researchers systematically manipulate a variable and observe the response in a laboratory |
Define: hypothesis | prediction of how two or more factors are related |
What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable in an experiment? | The factor being manipulated is the independent variable. The factor being measured is the dependent variable. |
Identify the independent and dependent variables: If students use Brainscape to study, rather than simple flash cards, then they will get higher test scores. | independent: method of studying; dependent: test score |
Define population as it relates to research methods. | all the individuals to which the study applies |
Define sample as it relates to research methods. | subgroup of a population that constitutes participants of a study |
What type of sample should be used in research? | Larger sample sizes are ideal because they are the most representative of the population. |
The amount of difference between the sample and population is called __________. | sampling error |
Define random selection as it relates to research methods. | every individual from a population has an equal chance of being chosen for the sample |
Which individuals are in the experimental group? | subjects who receive the treatment or manipulation of the independent variable |
Which individuals are in the control group? | subjects who do not receive any treatment or manipulation |
Subjects who receive the treatment are part of the __________, while those who do not receive the treatment belong to the __________. | experimental group; control group |
What type of experimental design uses experimental and control groups? | A match pair between subjects uses an experimental group and a control group to compare the effect of the independent variable. |
What process is used to ensure there are no preexisting differences between the control group and the experimental group? | Random assignment fairly divides the sample participants into the two groups. |
Define: confounding variable | any difference between the experimental group and the control group, besides the effect of the independent variable; a.k.a. third variable |
List four types of confounding variables. | 1. experimenter bias 2. demand characteristics 3. placebo effect 4. lack of counterbalancing |